THE people of Karachi have been suffering from extensive electricity power outages for four to 16 hours in this scorching heat, which has made our lives miserable.

This is not the first time they are facing such misery owing to K-Electric which has cited lack of furnace oil to its power plants as the reason for the power crisis in the city. This is sheer negligence and lack of proper planning and execution on the part of KE, which should have ensured continuous fuel supply for months to avoid such pathetic situation where millions of hapless people undergo untold misery in this stifling heat.

On the other hand, other government organisations like the power ministry, related energy networks and Nepra cannot be absolved of their responsibility. They are equally to be blamed for lack of overseeing the proper running of KE and ensuring that the utility service has sufficient fuel in stock all the time.

The possibility of supplying additional power to KE from the national grid in times of need must also be investigated. The government should have tried its best to save the people of Karachi from suffering.

Pro Bono Publico
Lahore

(2)

I RECENTLY received two messages from KE in which I was told owing to fuel supply shortage, I may experience power interruption between 11.00pm and 12.00am, and 2.00am and 3.00am.

Is there any justification for cutting off power supply during late night hours when there is no commercial activity? It is not out of place to mention that during day, the power supply was also discontinued between 1.00pm and 2.00pm.

Why doesn’t KE advise Karachi residents not to use power supply and instead start using kerosene oil or generators?

Is there anybody who may come to sort out the miseries of those who contribute 75 per cent of the national budget?

M Khizir Farooqi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2020